Congratulations on your pregnancy and welcome to The Tasmanian Health Service Womens Adolescent and Children’s Services (THS WACS)

The Tasmanian Health Service believe it is your right to receive care which is of a high standard in accordance with the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights. Our aim is to provide safe, well planned and well communicated care through a collaborative approach where you are encouraged to be actively involved.

This website has been designed to provide you and your family with valuable information regarding pregnancy, birth and early parenting. You are encouraged to adopt an active role in your pregnancy and to be involved in making informed decisions about your care. Whilst this booklet  is comprehensive we may not have provided  all the information you feel you require and suggest that you attend our antenatal classes, talk with  staff and refer to recommended resources such as The Raising Children Network. We recognise that everyone learns differently so please use the approach that benefits you best to allow an informed pregnancy journey and transition into parenting.

Further THS WACS continually strive towards improving  our services and value your feedback.

If intrastate and urgent assistance or advise is required please contact:

If your baby stops moving or there is an obvious reduction or change in your baby’s movements at any time in your  pregnancy. Please refer to https://sanda.psanz.com.au/resources/pregnancy/ or stillaware.org

• If your baby stops moving or there is an obvious change in your baby's pattern of movements
• Trauma to abdomen,  assault, serious fall, or car accident
• Sharp pains in your abdomen  with or without bleeding
• Vaginal bleeding at any time
• Recurring and persistent headaches;
• Persistent itchy skin, especially of hands and feet
• Sudden onset of swelling to face, hands or feet
• Blurred vision or spots before your eyes
• Pain or burning when you pass urine
• Labour has started and you feel it may be time to come to hospital
• You are at home labouring and require advice or reassurance from a Midwife
• If you are less than 36 weeks and are experiencing contractions or leaking amniotic fluid (from around the baby)
• Rupture of membranes (leaking fluid from around the baby) and you are concerned about the colour/odour, or labour does not commence
• You have been told your baby is NOT head down and start to labour or rupture your membranes
• Booked for a caesarean birth and labour starts
• If you identify any other pregnancy related concerns that you need advice for prior to your next antenatal appointment